flexible meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

flexible

adj

CA, UK, US /ˈflɛk.sɪ.bəl/ · AU /ˈflek.sɪ.bəl/

Etymology From Middle French flexible, from Latin flexibilis, from flectō (“to bend, curve”). Morphologically flex + -ible.

Capable of being flexed or bent without breaking; able to be turned or twisted without breaking.

When the splitting wind Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks.c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:

Willing or prone to give way to the influence of others; not invincibly rigid or obstinate.

Phocion the Athenian (a man of great severity, and no ways flexible to the will of the people[…]1625, Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the chapter)”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC:
Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible.c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]:

Capable of adapting or changing to suit new or modified conditions or situations.

Capable or being adapted or molded in some way.

a flexible language
This they foresaw was a Principle more flexible to their Purpose1735, John Rogers, Nineteen Sermons on various occasions:

Synonyms: bendsome, bendy, ductile, inconstant, limp, manageable, obsequious, pliable, pliant, supple, tractable, wavering, bain, bendable, flexible, flexile, limber, lithe
Antonyms: firm, inelastic, inflexible, rigid, stiff, unbendable
Derived terms: flexatone, flexbone, flexecutive, flexibilization, flexibilize, flexibleness, flexible sigmoidoscopy, flexible time, flexibly, flexihours, flexisexual, flexisexuality, flexitank, flexitarian, flexivore, heteroflexible, homoflexible, hyperflexible, make flexible, nonflexible, rectiflexible, semiflexible, ultraflexible, unflexible
Related terms: flexibility, inflexible, foldable, pliable, pliant, supple, withy, moldable, obstinate, soft

noun

Etymology From Middle French flexible, from Latin flexibilis, from flectō (“to bend, curve”). Morphologically flex + -ible.

Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Something that is flexible.

Alcan is mostly flexibles -- and so it boosts Amcor's flexible packaging business to a globally significant $7 billion one.2009 August 19, Terry McCrann, “Win-win deal for the times”, in Herald Sun, archived from the original on 22 Aug 2009: